Bard Simulator

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By [[Chapel|https://twinelab.net/]] Brought to you by these cool pieces of software: * [[Twine|http://twinery.org/]] * [[SugarCube|http://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/]] * [[Tweego|https://www.motoslave.net/tweego/]] * [[Twee 3 Language Tools|https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=cyrusfirheir.twee3-language-tools]] * [[Pronouncing.js|https://github.com/aparrish/pronouncingjs]] * [[The CMU Pronouncing Dictionary|http://www.speech.cs.cmu.edu/cgi-bin/cmudict]] Featuring beats from these producers: * [[Xela|https://twitter.com/XelaOnDaTrack]] * [[Rome|https://www.instagram.com/rome_youtube/]] Thank you for playing!

<div id="title-bar"> <span id="gold">0 g</span> <h1>Main Menu</h1> <span id="mute"> <img src="unmute.png"> </span> </div> <main> <div id="passages"></div> </main> <div id="drawer" class="closed"> <div id="pull">✎ Compose…</div> <div id="drawer-container"> <div id="drawer-content"> <span id="remaining">300</span> <textarea id="notebook" maxlength="300" placeholder="Write something…" spellcheck="value"></textarea> <p><button title="Perform the poem you've written!" id="read-it">📖 Read it!</button></p> </div> <div id="sidebar"> <ul> <li><a title="About" id="menu-about" href="javascript:void(0);">About</a></li>  <li><a title="Saves" id="menu-saves" href="javascript:void(0);">Saves</a></li> <li><a title="Restart" id="menu-restart" href="javascript:void(0);">Restart</a></li> <li><a title="Settings" id="menu-settings" href="javascript:void(0);">Settings</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>

{title: Market District}\ You're in the market district right now, not far from the tavern. @@#redo;The people in the market district are <<if not $chatMarket>>a ?mystery to you<<elseif $chatMarket <= 3>>?chaotic<<else>>?chaotic and ?rhythmic<</if>>.@@ <<if visited() === 1>>@@.tutorial;You can now freely write poems while you're out and about. Click ?compose_pull to do so whenever you want. Note that during story sequences, your notebook may not be available. Reading poems will allow you to gain tips from people who stop to listen to you. From now on, you can write poems however you want! Tailor your poems to the desires of your audience. You may need to learn about people in order to find out what traits they possess.@@<</if>> <<act "Chit chat.">> <<tooltip "Get to know the people in the market disctrict.">> <<set $chatMarket to $chatMarket || 0>> <<set $chatMarket += 1>> <<script>> Dialog.setup('Chit Chat', 'chat'); Dialog.wiki('You chat with people in the market, and spend some time observing them.'); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <<replace '#redo'>>The people in the market district are <<if not $chatMarket>>a ?mystery to you<<elseif $chatMarket <= 3>>?chaotic<<else>>?chaotic and ?rhythmic<</if>>.<</replace>> <</act>><<act "Head to the tavern.">> <<if hasVisited('morning-day-3')>> <<run UI.alert('There\'s no reason to go there right now…')>> <<elseif hasVisited('lady-alaric-day-2-4')>> <<goto "tavern-day-2-1">> <<elseif hasVisited('morning-day-2')>> <<run UI.alert('There\'s no reason to go there right now…')>> <<elseif hasVisited('lady-alaric-3')>> <<goto "tavern-day-1-1">> <<else>> <<run UI.alert('You\'d better avoid running into Lord Alaric for now…')>> <</if>> <</act>><<act "Head to the noble district.">> <<goto "noble-district-fr-1">> <</act>> <<include "market-district-reading">>

<<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to _poem.score().chaotic().rhythmic().calc()>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "market-district-tips-1">> <</read>> <</silently>>\

<<set _tips to Math.trunc($score / 20) + 1>>\ <<gold _tips>>\ You receive _tips gold in tips from your audience! <<act "Continue.">><<goto "market-district-fr-1">><</act>>

{title: Noble District}\ You're in the noble district right now, not far from the Lord Alaric's home. @@#redo;The people in the noble district are <<if not $chatNobles>>a ?mystery to you<<elseif $chatNobles <= 3>>?well_read<<elseif $chatNobles <= 6>>?well_read and ?pedantic<<else>>?well_read, ?pedantic, and ?stylish<</if>>.@@ <<act "Chit chat.">> <<tooltip "Get to know the people in the noble disctrict.">> <<set $chatNobles to $chatNobles || 0>> <<set $chatNobles += 1>> <<script>> Dialog.setup('Chit Chat', 'chat'); Dialog.wiki('You chat with the nobles and aristocrats, and spend some time observing them.'); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <<replace '#redo'>>The people in the noble district are <<if not $chatNobles>>a ?mystery to you<<elseif $chatNobles <= 3>>?well_read<<elseif $chatNobles <= 6>>?well_read and ?pedantic<<else>>?well_read, ?pedantic, and ?stylish<</if>>.<</replace>> <</act>><<act "Head to Lord Alaric's Estate.">> <<if hasVisited('morning-day-3')>> <<goto "lord-alaric-1">> <<elseif hasVisited('lady-alaric-day-2-4')>> <<run UI.alert('You should come back later…')>> <<elseif hasVisited('morning-day-2')>> <<goto "lady-alaric-day-2-1">> <<elseif hasVisited('lady-alaric-3')>> <<run UI.alert('You should come back later…')>> <<else>> <<goto "lady-alaric-1">> <</if>> <</act>><<act "Head to the market district.">> <<goto "market-district-fr-1">> <</act>> <<include "noble-district-reading">>

<<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to new Score(_poem).pedantic().wellRead().rhythmic().calc()>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "noble-district-tips-1">> <</read>> <</silently>>\

<<set _tips to Math.trunc($score / 10) + 1>>\ <<gold _tips>>\ You receive _tips gold in tips from your audience! <<act "Continue.">><<goto "noble-district-fr-1">><</act>>

{title: Alaric Estate}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "5" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "5">>\ You arrive at the Alaric estate, a sprawling complex in the noble district. The cobblestone streets here are just as cracked and riddled with potholes as everywhere else you've been, but there are trees and well-manicured lawns, and the aristocrats here are well-dressed and clean with soft skin and pretty hair. You enter the estate and are greeted by a male servant, who bows to you slightly. "Welcome," he says. "Might I know your name and business?" You tell the servant your name and business, and that Lord Alaric sent you. "Ah, I see," he says. "Then follow me." You're surprised by how lax this servant is about security, given your impressions of the city of Didd so far. He leads you into the main house, and it's pretty inside. In fact, you're rather struck by the lavish carpeting in the expansive foyer and the spiral staircase in the center, made of shiny stained wood. Paintings and vases adorn the room, and even your untrained eyes can tell you're surrounded by a lifetime's worth of wealth. The servant mounts the steps and signals for you to follow. <<act "Go upstairs.">><<goto "lady-alaric-2">><</act>>

<<set $ladyAlaric ++>>\ "My lady," says the servant, as he leads you into a sitting room upstairs. "May I present a bard, here on the orders of your husband." A woman is sitting on the couch here, reading a book. She looks up and smiles warmly, standing to greet you. "Hello," she says. She offers you her hand. You take it and pantomime kissing it. "My husband has sent a bard, has he?" A sweet smile is tugging at the corner of her lips, and she sighs. "That man, always a romantic." She sits back down and sweeps her hand toward a nearby chair. "I'll fetch some tea," the servant says, excusing himself. You sit down. "You aren't from Didd, are you? Have you traveled far? The life of a traveler is a hard one, but the freedom, and the things you must have seen! I can't imagine the excitement." There's an impressive stack of books on the small table between you, mostly adventure novels and stories of romance. It seems clear that <<def "Lady Alaric enjoys some fanciful escapism">>You learned a little bit about Lady Alaric! Learning about someone can help you improve the poem you write for them!<</def>>. <<act "Ask her about love.">> <<set $ladyAlaric += 3>> <<goto "lady-alaric-love">> <</act>>\ <<act "Ask her about Didd.">> <<set $ladyAlaric ++>> <<set $ladyAlaricKnowledge.push('?pedantic')>> <<goto "lady-alaric-didd">> <</act>>\ <<act "Ask her how she met Lord Alaric.">> <<set $ladyAlaric ++>> <<set $ladyAlaricKnowledge.push('?rhythmic')>> <<goto "lady-alaric-met">> <</act>>

You ask Lady Alaric about love. Her face becomes much more serious than you expect, but her eyes are gentle. "I've only ever loved my husband," she replies. "Love is a choice more than a feeling. I have dedicated myself to my marriage. And that has blossomed into feelings as well. You see, many foolish girls, and I was once one, lest you think me self-righteous, get caught on feelings, and feelings can't breed dedication. But dedication can breed feelings. That's how it was for us. I'm…" she struggles to find the words for a moment, "I'm so happy." She smiles. You nod, considering her response. She's clearly a wise woman, whether you find her advice as broadly applicable as she seems to think or not. Regardless, it is clear that <<def "Lady Alaric truly loves her husband">>You learned a little bit about Lady Alaric! Learning about someone can help you improve the poem you write for them!<</def>>. <<act "Continue.">><<goto "lady-alaric-3">><</act>>

You ask Lady Alaric how she feels about Didd. She smiles. "It's actually 'The Kingdom of Didd', we don't say just 'Didd.' If you mean the city, we say 'The Capital of the Kingdom of Didd.'" When you don't respond, she suddenly looks a bit embarrassed. "But of course, how could you have known that, dear traveler. And of course the question stands. I love my kingdom and my city, though I've never been elsewhere to compare, I'm sure it compares favorably. Maybe I should be asking you, though. How do you like the Kingdom of Didd?" You assure her that it compares favorably. She smiles. "I see, then I was right." You don't learn much about her from the exchange, except that she is probably fairly ?pedantic. <<act "Continue.">><<goto "lady-alaric-3">><</act>>

You ask Lady Alaric how she met Lord Alaric. She smiles. "I met my husband for the first time at a ball. We were both quite good dancers, and he began courting me right away. We don't go to balls as often, they're for the younger and unmarried folk, really. But we still dance. He's never stopped courting me." You learn that <<def "Lady Alaric and her husband love to dance">>You learned a little bit about Lady Alaric! Learning about someone can help you improve the poem you write for them!<</def>>, and that she is probably fairly ?rhythmic, if she enjoys it so much. <<act "Continue.">><<goto "lady-alaric-3">><</act>>

<<gold 5>>\ "Ah, oh my," Lady Alaric says, looking at the window. "Why, the sun is already going down." She stands up quickly. "I have an appointment soon, I'm terribly sorry. Would you mind returning tomorrow?" You tell her that it's no problem. "Here." She hands you a few gold pieces. "It's my fault for wasting your time talking, so allow me to compensate you for your wasted day." You try to refuse, but she insists, holding your hand palm-up and placing the money inside. "I must insist," she says. You agree to take the money. It's enough for a night at the tavern, at least. <<act "Take your leave.">><<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "2" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "2">><<goto "noble-district-fr-1">><</act>>

{title: Alleyway}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "4" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "4">>\ There's still a blood stain on the cobblestone only a few paces from the tavern's door. You feel sick as you stare at it. You step around it on your way past. <<act "Enter the tavern.">><<goto "tavern-day-1-2">><</act>>

<<gold -10>>\ {title: Tavern}\ You enter the tavern. This time no one looks up. There's not as many people here, only six or seven, all at the bar. You walk up. "What'll it be, stranger?" the barkeep says. You ask for a room. "Ten gold." You pay him. He puts a key and an ale down in front of you. "It's been a rough day. Ale is on the house. Sorry you had to see that." This might be the first nice thing anyone has done for you in Didd. You thank the barkeep. He smiles at you, but it's a sad, tired smile. As you drink your ale, you look around and see that everyone seems just as sad and tired. Maybe you could lift their spirits with a poem… <<act "Finish your ale and go to bed.">><<goto "bed-day-1">><</act>> <<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to new Score(_poem).pedantic().rhythmic().calc()>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<if $score > 65>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "tavern-day-1-reading-good">> <<else>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "tavern-day-1-reading-bad">> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

Your poem seems to succeed, and the patrons seem a little more relaxed. Thoughts of their fallen friend still occupy their minds, but your poem has helped ease their worried expressions. A few patrons smile and thank you. A bard doesn't normally work for free, but you're glad you made an exception. <<act "Finish your ale and go to bed.">><<goto "bed-day-1">><</act>>

Your poem seems doesn't seem to have any effect at all on the overall mood of your fellow patrons. Thoughts of their fallen friend still occupy their minds, and their tired, pained faces haven't softened at all. <<act "Finish your ale and go to bed.">><<goto "bed-day-1">><</act>>

You retire to your room. It's small and cramped, but at least it's fairly clean. <<act "Sleep.">><<goto "morning-day-2">><</act>>

<<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>>\ <div id='stretcher'></div>\ <<fadein 1s>>The next morning…<</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 1s>><<link "Continue">><<run Dialog.close()>><</link>><</fadein>>\ <</popover>>

<<include "sleep">>\ You wake up the next morning and head out into the market district. You told Lady Alaric you'd stop by today. Her home is in the noble district, but you have some time. <<act "Continue.">><<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "2" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "2">><<goto "market-district-fr-1">><</act>>

{title: Alaric Estate}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "3" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "3">>\ You return to the Alaric estate. The same servant from before greets you. "We've been expecting you," he says. "My lord is in his study, come." You follow the servant inside, this time to one of the rooms downstairs. Lord Alaric is sitting at a desk, writing something. The room's walls are lined with books. When he sees you he jumps to his feet and comes over to shake your hand. "Welcome," he says. "I understand you've come to see my wife again. Don't worry, I know these things take time." His expression becomes more serious. "I also feel I owe you an explanation of our meeting yesterday. I fear I've given you a poor impression of our lovely city." He gestures to a seat across from his desk and then sits down himself. <<act "Sit down.">><<goto "lady-alaric-day-2-2">><</act>>

<<set $lordAlaric += 3>><<set $ladyAlaric ++>><<run $lordAlaricKnowledge.push('?hot_blooded')>>\ You sit down, and Lord Alaric leans back. "That man you were with was a barbarian named Marco. Last week, he savagely beat one of my servants so badly he could no longer walk. He will never fully recover. His wife came to me and…" He sighs. "Marco knows better than to raise his hand against—he knew better, I mean…" You tell Alaric that he doesn't owe you an explanation. Alaric smiles at you. "I suppose not. I just fear you've been led to believe our fair city is nothing but a den of violence and death." You assure him that's not true. Alaric smiles. "I'm glad. Thank you for your understanding. It's refreshing to meet someone slow to judge. You are truly wise, my friend. Now then. I should give you a hint. My wife <<if $ladyAlaricKnowledge.includes('?pedantic')>><<run $ladyAlaricKnowledge.push('?rhythmic')>>is quite a skilled dancer, I'm sure a poem that flows with ?rhythmic meter will please her<<else>><<run $ladyAlaricKnowledge.push('?pedantic')>>can be a bit of a ?pedant and I imagine she would prefer a poem that rhymed<</if>>." You've <<def "learned a little about Lady Alaric">>You learned a little bit about Lady Alaric! Learning about someone can help you improve the poem you write for them!<</def>>, but also <<def "a bit about about Lord Alaric">>You learned a little bit about Lord Alaric! Learning about someone can help you improve the poem you write for them!<</def>>. You've also deduced that Lord Alaric is ?hot_blooded. <<act "Go see Lady Alaric.">><<goto "lady-alaric-day-2-3">><</act>>

<<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "5" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "5">>\ You thank Lord Alaric for his time and bid him farewell. It's time to go find Lady Alaric and compose a poem for her! You head upstairs to the sitting room you met her in yesterday. Today she's gazing out the widow, out over the roofs of the market district and into the fields and hinterlands beyond. She doesn't turn, but instead her eyes fix on you in the window's reflection, and you bow slightly. "You've returned," she said. "Has my husband explained himself to you?" You nod. "To think you witnessed such a thing and without explanation." She sighs, her breath fogs the window a bit. "Thank goodness. I'm so sorry you saw that. I'm so sorry it had to happen at all. My husband says the men he brought behaved like animals. They were chomping at the bit for revenge. The man made lame by Marco's attack was a friend of theirs." You assure her you understand the situation. You can't see her expression in the mirror anymore because of the fogged glass. "Very well, then." She remains there, staring out the window for another moment or two. When she turns to face you, a smile adorns her face once more, and she crosses the room and sits on the couch. She gestures to the chair. <<act "Sit down.">><<goto "lady-alaric-composition">><</act>>

<<if visited() > 1>>Lady Alaric isn't impressed enough by your poem. You have to do better! <</if>>You think about what you know about Lady Alaric. You know that her love for her husband is strong and true. You know that she enjoys reading books. You know that she enjoys fanciful escapism. You also know that she's <<= $ladyAlaricKnowledge.join(' and ')>>. Your poem needs to impress her! Try to get an audience reaction of at least {{{80%}}}! <<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to _poem.score().pedantic().rhythmic().bonus($ladyAlaric).calc()>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<if $score >= 80>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "lady-alaric-success">> <<else>> <<goto `passage()`>> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

Lady Alaric seems overjoyed. "Why, why, that was lovely!" she cries. "You truly are a talented one, indeed." You carefully remove the page from your notebook and hand it to her. She takes it with both hands. "Thank you. You can see my husband regarding your payment." You stand up and start to leave. "Wait, please." You turn back to face her. She's wearing a concerned expression. "I was so touched by your poem. Words have so much power when you know which ones to choose, don't they?" She places her hand on her heart. "Could I commission another poem from you? This time, for my husband." <<act "Hear her out.">><<goto "lady-alaric-day-2-4">><</act>>

<<set $lordAlaric ++>><<run $lordAlaricKnowledge.push('?romantic')>><<gold 20>>\ You walk back over and sit down, and ask her to continue. "What happened ways on him. Even before he confronted the brigand who struck our servant lame. The other servants wanted blood. But my husband, at his core, is a peaceful man. He resisted their calls for justice." She sighs. "I don't mean to make it sound like the servants are at fault. They were right to cry out for justice. But my husband, I can see on his face how it weighs on him, what he let happen. He really is a ?romantic at heart." You agree to take the job. Lady Alaric smiles. "Thank you. I know it'll mean a lot to him. Why don't you come back tomorrow. We'll surprise him then," she says. "Thank you for the lovely poem you've written me." You stop to see Lord Alaric on your way out, and he pays you 20 gold. <<act "Take your leave.">><<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "2" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "2">><<goto "noble-district-fr-1">><</act>>

<<gold -11>>\ {title: Tavern}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "4" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "4">>\ You enter the tavern. The place is completely empty, aside from the barkeep. "Need to stay another night?" he asks. You nod. "Ten gold," he says. "Plus another if you want an ale." You fork over eleven gold and sit down. He places a pint of ale in front of you. <<act "Finish your ale and go to bed.">><<goto "bed-day-2">><</act>>

You retire to your room. It's small and cramped, but at least it's fairly clean. <<act "Sleep.">><<goto "morning-day-3">><</act>>

/* final reading before credits roll */\ <div id='stretcher'></div>\ <<set $read to $poems.last().trim().replace(/\n{2,}/g, '\n\n').replace(/ +/g, ' ')>>\ @@#popover-out; <<fadein 1s>>You prepare to read your poem…<</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 1s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 2s>><<= $read>><</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 2s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 1s>>Powerless. Utterly powerless. <<showmeter 'quality' 0>><</fadein>> <<timed 1s>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0>><</timed>> <<fadein 1s 2s>>\ <<set $href to 'https://twitter.com/share?url=https://chapel.itch.io/bard&text=' + encodeURIComponent("I made this poem in Bard Simulator 2K21:\n\n" + $read + '\n\n') + '&hashtags=bardsimulator2k21'>>\ <a title="Share your poem on Twitter!" class="tweet-this" target="_blank" @href="$href" class="twitter-share-button"><img src="tweet.png"> Tweet Your Poem</a> <<dl $read>> <<link "Continue">><<run State.metadata.set('complete', true)>><<replace "#popover-out">>\ <<fadein 1s>><h2>The End</h2><</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 500ms>>Thank you for playing!<</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 4s>><<link "Main Menu">><<run Engine.restart()>><</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0>><<unset $read, $href>><</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> @@

{title: Alaric Estate}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "3" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "3">>\ You arrive at the Alaric Estate and are shown in again by the same servant. This time Lady Alaric greets you in the foyer. She smiles broadly. "Ah, you're here," she says. "My husband should be home in a moment or two. Come, let's go to the dining room, you can perform there." You follow Lady Alaric through a broad set of double doors into a massive dining room with a golden chandelier and large table draped in fine linen and made from solid, shiny lacquered wood. Lady Alaric seems a little nervous and is straightening the front of her dress over and over. You ask her if she's okay. "I am," she says, a hint of a sigh on her voice. "I just hope you're able to move him as you were me. Sometimes a lady's heart is more easily swayed." You assure her that you could bend even stone hearts. "Of course," she says, a bit sheepishly. "I meant no disrespect. I have complete faith in your abilities." <<act "Wait for Lord Alaric.">><<goto "lord-alaric-2">><</act>>

You hear the door, and the sound of a few servants greeting their lord. "He's here," Lady Alaric says. One of the servants shows Lord Alaric into the dining room and he smiles warmly on seeing his wife. He steps up to you and shakes your hand. "My friend, it's good to see you," he says. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" "Why, I've hired this bard, dear husband," Lady Alaric says. She hugs him. A chaste hug, clearly only chaste for your benefit. "I was so moved by his words, I wanted to hear what such a skilled poet may say about you, my lord." Lord Alaric beams at her. "How thoughtful," he says. He then looks to you. "Please." <<act "Get out your notebook.">><<goto "lord-alaric-composition">><</act>>

<<if visited() > 1>>Lord and Lady Alaric aren't impressed enough by your poem. You have to do better! <</if>>You think about what you know about Lord Alaric. Lady Alaric claims he's a peaceful man. He and Lady Alaric like to dance. You know he loves Lady Alaric very much. You also know that he's <<= $lordAlaricKnowledge.join(' and ')>>. Your poem needs to impress them! Try to get an audience reaction of at least {{{80%}}}! <<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to _poem.score().chaotic().rhythmic().bonus($lordAlaric).calc()>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<if $score >= 80>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "lord-alaric-success">> <<else>> <<goto `passage()`>> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

<<gold 20>>\ Lady Alaric smiles broadly, and Lord Alaric seems truly moved. He puts his arm around his wife and pulls her closer. "Thank you," he says softly. "Thank you both." "That was wonderful," Lady Alaric says. She hands you a small bag of gold, and you thank her. "Why don't you stay with us for a few days, rather than in that dreadful tavern?" Lord Alaric says. "Allow us to show you the hospitality of the Kingdom of Didd." You thank them but refuse politely. Lord Alaric frowns. "I understand, and I won't push the matter, my friend. But please, at least do me the honor of joining us for dinner this evening. We would be grateful for your company." You agree to stay for dinner. Lord Alaric calls for a servant to show you to a room where you can rest and wash up while you wait for dinner to be served. <<act "Relax.">><<goto "lord-alaric-3">><</act>>

<<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "4" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "4">>\ You spend some time relaxing in the Alaric Estate. The servants draw you a nice warm bath and even clean your clothes while you're in it. You are provided with a large, lovely guest room to stay in, and the servants offer you wine and cigars. This is easily the most comfortable you've been since arriving in Didd. As sunset approaches, a servant finally knocks and tells you that dinner will soon be served. <<act "Go join the Alarics.">><<goto "end-1">><</act>>

Lord and Lady Alaric smile at you when you enter the dining room. "I fear we're becoming quite fond of you," Lady Alaric says. "It's never wise to become attached to a traveler." Lord Alaric laughs. "Dinner will be ready soon. I trust the accommodations were to your liking?" You tell him that his servants were excellent, and he seems gladdened by that. "I wonder what's taking so long," Lady Alaric says. "Perhaps they expected our guest to take longer to get down here," Lord Alaric says. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." The door to the foyer opens and the servant steps in. "My lord," he says. "You have guests." Lord Alaric looks surprised. "Ask them to come back tomorrow," he says. "I don't think that will work, my lord." "Why not?" <<act "Step back.">><<goto "end-2">><</act>>

<<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "6" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "6">>\ The door behind the servant bursts open, and several men, all peasants, poor into the room. "What is the meaning of this?!" Lord Alaric demands. "How dare you enter my home without permission!" Lady Alaric looks pale and stumbles back a few steps. Lord Alaric looks over at the two of you, then back to the intruders. His expression isn't reassuring. Scared and angry. But mostly scared. There are probably twenty or so intruders in all, and you recognize some of them from the tavern. The servant who showed them in crosses to the far side of the room, well out of the way. Some other maids and servants have entered the dining room now, too, and they all collect there on the far side. The intruders start to surround you and the Alarics. Lady Alaric clutches onto your arm. Lord Alaric backs toward you. One of the men steps up, a hatchet in his hand. "Don't do this," Lord Alaric says, in a pleading, small voice. <<act "Brace yourself.">><<goto "end-3">><</act>>

Lady Alaric starts screaming before the first blow even comes, as soon as the man raises the hatchet. He brings it down on Lord Alaric's head with a sickening crack. Alaric is dead and limp before he hits the ground. The man has to wrench the hatchet around with his foot on Lord Alaric's back to get it free again. He then steps toward you and Lady Alaric, hatchet in hand, dripping with blood. Lady Alaric is still screaming. The man with the hatchet pushes you out of the way, and the intruders quickly fall in to surround Lady Alaric. "What do we do with her?" someone asks. "Just take her for now," someone else replies. A few of the men seize her and begin dragging her out of the house. She's screaming incoherently, fighting against them, eyes fixed on her husband's corpse. Each bitter wail hurts your ears worse than the last. finally they drag her all the way outside. She's gone, but you can still hear her screaming, but getting farther and farther away. <<act "Sit down.">><<goto "end-4">><</act>>

<<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "5" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "5">>\ You sit down at the table. One of the maids is taking the silverware, stuffing it in the pockets of her apron. Looking around, you see the servants taking paintings off the wall, pulling up the linens, filling bags and their pockets with baubles. As they leave the house, some stop to spit on Lord Alaric's corpse. You pull out your notebook and put it on the table in front of you. <<silently>> <<read>> <<set $score to 0>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include 'final-reading'>><</popover>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

/* VARS */ <<set $poems to []>> <<set $gold to 0>> <<set $nobles to 0>> <<set $commoners to 0>> <<set $king to 0>> <<set $song to '2'>> <<set $title to 'Main Menu'>> <<set $lordAlaric = 0>> <<set $ladyAlaric = 0>> <<set $ladyAlaricKnowledge = []>> <<set $lordAlaricKnowledge = []>> /* MUSIC */ /* <<cacheaudio "1" "assets/1.mp3">> */ <<cacheaudio "2" "assets/2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "3" "assets/3.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "4" "assets/4.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "5" "assets/5.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "6" "assets/6.mp3">> /* MISC */ <<newmeter 'quality' 0>> <<colors '#f0f' '#ccc' '#888'>> <<sizing '33rem' '2rem'>> <<label "$score%" "#111" center>> <<animation 1s>> <</newmeter>>

{title: Main Menu}\ <div class='centered'>\ <h1 id='main-title'>Bard Simulator 2K21</h1>\ A text-based poetry game. </div> <<nobr>> <<act "Continue">> <<tooltip "Resume from the last autosave.">> <<if Save.autosave.has()>> <<run Save.autosave.load()>> <<else>> <<run UI.alert('No autosave was found!')>> <</if>> <</act>> <<act "Saves">> <<tooltip "Load a saved game.">> <<run UI.saves()>> <</act>> <<act "New Game">> <<tooltip "Start a new game from the beginning.">> <<goto "intro-1">> <</act>> <<act "Settings">> <<tooltip "Configure the game's settings.">> <<run UI.settings()>> <</act>> <<act "About">> <<tooltip "View the game's credits and some other info.">> <<script>> Dialog.setup('About', 'about'); Dialog.wiki(Story.has('about-menu') ? Story.get('about-menu').text : 'Whoops...'); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</act>> <<if $(document.documentElement).hasClass('plus')>> <<run $(document).on(':passagestart', function () { $(document.documentElement).removeClass('plus'); })>> <</if>> <</nobr>>

{title: Just Outside the City}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "2" volume 1 loop play>><<set $song to '2'>>\ You've been traveling for almost ten days when you finally spot the city of Didd in the distance, capital of the Kingdom of Didd (and perhaps the entirety of the kingdom, at that). It's not a nice place from what you've heard. But it's the only place this far from the civilized lands you've come from—at least the only place with a name—and you're tired and your rations won't make it another week. Maybe there'll be some gold to be made here, at least. Soon you come to stand before the massive gates of the city, held together by rusty iron hinges. The gate was probably once a lovely red, but the paint is now a sun-baked pink and peeling at the edges. The sentries standing next to the gate are no more impressive: a tall, pimpled youth whose pants are an inch too short and older gentleman with a pot belly sitting on the ground nearby. They see you coming from afar and the older man jumps up. They try to look as intimidating at they can, standing shoulder to shoulder before the great pink gate and clutching their spears tightly. <<act "Approach the gates.">><<goto "intro-2">><</act>>

The older man speaks first, and shouts loudly even though you're only a few yards away by this point. "This is the royal city of Didd, capital of the mighty land of Didd and seat of his majesty, King Derwin! State your business, traveler!" The tall man grins. "Hello, there!" You greet the two men, and explain that you are merely a wandering bard, swept to their doorstep on the wind. "That so?" the old man says. He looks over at his comrade. "A fanciful tale. There are no bards in all of Didd as far as I've heard. And such a stupid tale is exactly what a spy or a brigand might say." You tell him you're not from Didd and assure you him you are, in fact, a bard. The tall man seems pleasant enough, smiling and nodding as you speak. The older man's frown never wavers, however. "Caught in a lie!" the older sentry says. "Now your story is shifting! If you think I'm fool enough to fall for such a thing, you've another thing coming." <<act "Ask him how you can convince him.">><<goto "intro-3">><</act>>

<div id='stretcher'></div>\ <<set $read to $poems.last().trim().replace(/\n{2,}/g, '\n\n').replace(/ +/g, ' ')>>\ @@#popover-out; <<fadein 1s>>You prepare to read your poem…<</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 1s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 2s>><<= $read>><</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 2s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 1s>>?reaction <<showmeter 'quality' 0>><</fadein>> <<timed 1s>><<updatemeter 'quality' `Math.clamp($score / 100, 0, 1)`>><</timed>> <<fadein 1s 2s>>\ <<set $href to 'https://twitter.com/share?url=https://chapel.itch.io/bard&text=' + encodeURIComponent("I made this poem in Bard Simulator 2K21:\n\n" + $read + '\n\n') + '&hashtags=bardsimulator2k21'>>\ <a title="Share your poem on Twitter!" class="tweet-this" target="_blank" @href="$href" class="twitter-share-button"><img src="tweet.png"> Tweet Your Poem</a> <<dl $read>> <<link "Continue">><<run Dialog.close()>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0>><<unset $read, $href>><</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> @@

<div id='stretcher'></div>\ <<set $read to $poems.last().trim().replace(/\n{2,}/g, '\n\n').replace(/ +/g, ' ')>>\ <<fadein 1s>>?reaction <<showmeter 'quality' 0>><</fadein>> <<timed 1s>><<updatemeter 'quality' `Math.clamp($score / 100, 0, 1)`>><</timed>> <<fadein 1s 2s>>\ <<set $href to 'https://twitter.com/share?url=https://chapel.itch.io/bard&text=' + encodeURIComponent("I made this poem in Bard Simulator 2K21:\n\n" + $read + '\n\n') + '&hashtags=bardsimulator2k21'>>\ <a title="Share your poem on Twitter!" class="tweet-this" target="_blank" @href="$href" class="twitter-share-button"><img src="tweet.png"> Tweet Your Poem</a> <<dl $read>> <<link "Continue">><<run Dialog.close()>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0>><<unset $read, $href>><</link>>\ <</fadein>>

<<silently>> <<read>> <<if not _poem.isCouplet()>> <<goto "intro-not-couplet">> <<elseif not _poem.rhymingPatternMatches('AA')>> <<set $score to 20 + random(10)>> <<if _poem.isBalanced() && _poem.x_ameter > 2>> <<set $score += 25>> <</if>> <<if _poem.isPentameter()>> <<set $score += 20>> <<elseif _poem.x_ameter() >= 4 and _poem.x_ameter() < 7>> <<set $score += 10>> <<elseif _poem.x_ameter < 3 || _poem.x_ameter > 8>> <<set $score -= 5>> <<elseif _poem.count.words < 2>> <<set $score -= 10>> <</if>> <<if _poem.count.words < (_poem.count.lines + 1)>> <<set $score -= 10>> <</if>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<goto "intro-not-rhymed">> <<else>> <<set $score to 40 + random(10)>> <<if _poem.isBalanced()>> <<set $score += 25>> <</if>> <<if _poem.isPentameter()>> <<set $score += 20>> <<elseif _poem.x_ameter() >= 4 and _poem.x_ameter() < 7>> <<set $score += 10>> <<elseif _poem.x_ameter < 3 || _poem.x_ameter > 8>> <<set $score -= 5>> <<elseif _poem.count.words < 2>> <<set $score -= 10>> <</if>> <<if _poem.count.words < (_poem.count.lines + 1)>> <<set $score -= 10>> <</if>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<goto "intro-success">> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

The tall sentry speaks up. "Why don't you write us a poem?" You explain that bards don't work for free. The tall man nods. "Yes, of course, I see. Then I'll give you a gold coin. Just write us something short." You suppose you could write and perform a ?couplet. Couplets usually ?rhyme, but they don't have to. So just a single ?stanza, and just two lines. @@.tutorial;Click the ?compose_pull button below to open your notebook! Write the sentries a ?couplet and then read it to them by clicking the ?read_btn button!@@ <<include "intro-read">>

You're about to read the poem to the sentries, when you realize that it isn't a ?couplet. You decide to work on your poem a little more. @@.tutorial;Click the ?compose_pull button below to open your notebook! Write the sentries a ?couplet and then read it to them by clicking the ?read_btn button!@@ <<include "intro-read">>

"Well, that was pretty good!" the tall sentry says with a big smile. "Mighty fine indeed." The other sentry doesn't seem impressed. "It didn't even rhyme, though," he says. "Isn't a poem meant to rhyme? I've never heard of such a thing as an unrhymed poem." You explain that poems don't need to rhyme. The tall guard nods along, but the older sentry seems more suspicious of you by the second. "Well, I still think a poem should rhyme," the older fellow says, apparently ignoring everything you just said. You sigh. This guard must be a ?pedant. You decide to work on your poem a little more. @@.tutorial;Click the ?compose_pull button below to open your notebook! Write the sentries a ?couplet and then read it to them by clicking the ?read_btn button! Couplets don't have to ?rhyme, no poems really do, but there is a ?pedant in your audience!@@ <<include "intro-read">>

<<gold 1>>\ After you finish the poem, the tall sentry claps for you. "What a dramatic performance. You read as well as you write!" He hands you a single gold coin. The older sentry squints his eyes at you for a moment, but then sighs. "Fine, fine," he says. "I guess that was okay." You ask if you can enter the city. The old sentry nods to the other. The tall sentry turns, and cupping his mouth, shouts loudly toward the gate. "Hey! We've got a wayfarer here! Open the gates!" After a moment, the silent gate shrieks to life; the sound of chains straining against each other and the loud creaking of the tired wood is deafening. After several loud groaning sounds overwhelm the rest of the cacophony, the gate finally parts in the center and grinds open, scraping against the cobbled stones beneath, sending pink paint chips splintering to the ground. It only opens a gap wide enough for you to squeeze through sideways before coming to a rest and falling silent once more. The two sentries step aside and wave you through. You squeeze through the gate as quickly as you can, and enter the city. <<act "Enter the city.">><<goto "intro-4">><</act>>

{title: Market District}\ Finally inside the city, you take a look around. This appears to be some sort of market district, dotted with small shops, most of which are quiet and appear closed even though it's the middle of the day. The streets are dirty and the cobblestone cracked. The folks milling about don't pay you much mind, but a few do steal a glance at you as they pass. A sentry, different from the first two, steps up to you. "Traveler," he says. "Welcome to our glorious city. Many travelers come from afar to cross through the great red gate of Didd. What brings you here?" You ask if there's a tavern or inn nearby. The sentry nods. "Follow the main street back and make a left at the bakery. At the end of the row on the left is a tavern." You thank the guard and head out. <<act "Go to the tavern.">><<goto "intro-5">><</act>>

{title: Tavern}\ The tavern is a small, run-down building at the end of a back alley. It's probably at least cheap. You walk inside, and are struck by the strong smell of tobacco that hits you in the face the second you step in. You hear a lot of talking, but it all dies down and fades away as every eye in the place falls on you, a stranger. There's not a ton of people, maybe twenty, but their silent stares still fill you with unease. After a moment, most of them turn away and resume their conversations. You make your way to the bar without saying anything. Just before you reach it, a hand grips your shoulder. "Hey there," a gravelly voice says, yanking your shoulder and turning you to face your addressor. "And who the hell are you supposed to be? Mighty fine clothes. You some wannabe aristocrat? Got fucking guts waltzing in here and standing in my fucking face." You explain, as nicely as possible, that you're merely a traveling bard. Being a traveler requires one to invest in a good set of clothes, after all. His eyes narrow. "A bard, huh?" You nod. He laughs humorlessly. It's a forced, intimidating laugh that reminds you of the barking of a particularly mean dog. "Well then," he says, grinning. "Here's a poem for you!" <<act "He begins to recite a limereick.">><<goto "marco-limerick-reading">><</act>>

<div id='stretcher'></div>\ <<set $read to "There was an old man on a hill,\nWho seldom, if ever, stood still;\nHe ran up and down\nIn his grandmother's gown,\nWhich adorned that old man on a hill.">>\ @@#popover-out; <<fadein 1s>>The ruffian clears his throat…<</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 1s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 2s>><<= $read>><</fadein>> <<fadein 1s 2s>><<link "Continue">> <<replace "#popover-out">> <<fadein 1s>>The audience seems familiar with the limerick, and they enjoy it. <<showmeter 'quality' 0>><</fadein>> <<set $score to 61>>\ <<timed 1s>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0.61>><</timed>> <<fadein 1s 2s>>\ <<link "Continue">><<run Dialog.close()>><<updatemeter 'quality' 0>><<unset $read, $href>><</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> <</replace>> <</link>><</fadein>> @@

<<silently>> <<read>> <<if not _poem.isLimerick()>> <<goto "intro-not-limerick">> <<else>> <<set $score to 60 + random(10)>> <<set _innerDif to _poem.lineSyllables(0, 2) - _poem.lineSyllables(0, 3)>> <<if _poem.lineSyllables(0, 2) === _poem.lineSyllables(0, 3)>> <<set $score += 20>> <<elseif _innerDef <= 1 || _innerDef >= -1>> <<set $score += 10>> <</if>> <<if ((_poem.lineSyllables(0, 2) + _poem.lineSyllables(0, 3)) / 2) <= 1>> <<set $score -= 20>> <<elseif ((_poem.lineSyllables(0, 2) + _poem.lineSyllables(0, 3)) / 2) <= 2>> <<set $score -= 10>> <<elseif ((_poem.lineSyllables(0, 2) + _poem.lineSyllables(0, 3)) / 2) > 16>> <<set $score -= 5>> <</if>> <<if _poem.lineSyllables(0, 0) <= 5>> <<set $score -= 20>> <<elseif _poem.lineSyllables(0, 0) <= 3>> <<set $score -= 40>> <<elseif _poem.lineSyllables(0, 0) > 20>> <<set $score -= 10>> <</if>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<if $score > 61>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "intro-success-2">> <<else>> <<goto "intro-score-too-low">> <</if>> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

<<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include "fake-reading">><</popover>>\ The ruffian grins at you. You glance around the room. The ?limerick was something of a hit, but you can do better. You decide to write and perform your own ?limerick. After all, this insult cannot stand! Try to get a better reaction score than the ruffian did! @@.tutorial;Consistent, rhythmic lines and avoiding overly long and overly short lines will help improve the audience reaction. Using an established form (like a ?limerick) will also help a great deal!@@ @@.tutorial;A limerick is a poem consisting of a single stanza. It has a rhyming pattern of {{{AABBA}}}; that is, the first, second, and fifth line all ?rhyme, while the third and fourth lines also rhyme. The third and fourth line are also a bit shorter, featuring fewer syllables than the rest.@@ <<include 'intro-read-2'>>

You're about to read the poem to the tavern patrons, when you realize that it isn't a ?limerick. You decide to work on your poem a little more. @@.tutorial;Consistent, rhythmic lines and avoiding overly long and overly short lines will help improve the audience reaction. Using an established form (like a ?limerick) will also help a great deal!@@ @@.tutorial;A limerick is a poem consisting of a single stanza. It has a rhyming pattern of {{{AABBA}}}; that is, the first, second, and fifth line all ?rhyme, while the third and fourth lines also rhyme. The third and fourth line are also a bit shorter, featuring fewer syllables than the rest.@@ <<include "intro-read-2">>

Your poem doesn't have quite the impact it needs too; the ruffian's poem got a better reaction. You decide to work on your poem a little more. @@.tutorial;Consistent, rhythmic lines and avoiding overly long and overly short lines will help improve the audience reaction. Using an established form (like a ?limerick) will also help a great deal!@@ @@.tutorial;A limerick is a poem consisting of a single stanza. It has a rhyming pattern of {{{AABBA}}}; that is, the first, second, and fifth line all ?rhyme, while the third and fourth lines also rhyme. The third and fourth line are also a bit shorter, featuring fewer syllables than the rest.@@ <<include "intro-read-2">>

The ruffian's mocking grin shifts into a genuine smile as you finish your poem, and the tavern patrons actually give a bit of applause, albeit brief and muted. "Well, I'll be," the ruffian says. He slaps you on the back a little harder than necessary, but at least it's a friendly gesture. "You're alright, bard. Say, would you like to write some poems for me and my mates? I bet they'll get a kick out of you." You explain, delicately, that bards don't normally work for free. "That so? Well, I can respect that. I can't pay you much, but I can pay. How's 10 gold sound?" That's not a bad price. It'll pay for a night or two in the tavern at least. You agree to his terms. "Well then," the ruffian says. "Name's Marco," he grabs your hand and squeezes it tightly like he wants to strangle it, but shakes it quite gently. "Come on, friend." He looks around the bar and spots an untouched mug of ale sitting in front of a young man, then snags it and hands it to you. "Hey?!" the young man protests, but he doesn't do anything other than shoot daggers from his eyes at Marco. "On me," Marco says, putting his arm around you and steering you toward the door. "See my mates need their spirits lifted. This town, let me tell you, a real fucking hell hole. Worst place I've ever been to. You'll see what I mean if you stay long enough. It's utter shit." <<act "Leave with Marco.">><<goto "leave-tavern">><</act>>

{title: Alleyway}\ <<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "6" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "6">>\ You're just barely through the door when three men approach you and Marco. The man in the middle is a handsome, well-dress dark-skinned man. He's puffing on a cigarette and flanked by two lackeys, both armed with short swords. They're all looking directly at the two of you. "Wait, is that—?" Before Marco can finish, the two men run toward him, tackling him to the ground. They're wrestling around and you take a step back, not sure what to make of it. The well dressed man comes to stand beside you. "Friend of yours?" he asks. "Shame it has to be this way." One of the men raises his short sword over his head clutching it in both hands and brings it down hard. Marco is trying to protect his head with his arms, and the blade chops deep, making a sickening crunch as it pares his flesh and smashes into his bone. He lets out a scream of agony. The other man has him pinned and starts hacking at his legs. Blood chases the blades through the air as they pummel Marco. Blood flies and lands on your shoes. You feel sick but you can't look away. The man next to you continues puffing calmly on his cigarette. "So who are you anyway?" he asks. Marco's screams grow more guttural until it stops all at once, replaced by a gurgling, choking rasp. The blades never stop raining down on him, blow after blow. He's in pieces now and his blood is running in the cracks of the cobblestone and pooling in potholes. Finally, he's still and quiet. You take a few moments to find your voice. <<act "Tell him you're a bard.">><<goto "intro-alaric">><</act>>

<<silently>> <<read>> <<if not _poem.isHaiku()>> <<goto "intro-not-haiku">> <<else>> <<set $score to 75 + random(20)>> <<run $poems.push(_input)>> <<if $poems.length > 10>> <<run $poems.shift()>> <</if>> <<popover 'opaque' 'noclick'>><<include `settings.quickReading ? 'dramatic-reading-quick' : 'dramatic-reading'`>><</popover>> <<run GUI.notebook.empty()>> <<goto "intro-success-3">> <</if>> <</read>> <</silently>>\

"A bard, eh?" The well-dressed man turns away. The two men start to clean themselves up a bit. You nod. "If you wouldn't mind, why don't you share a composition with me?" You ask him if there's any form of poetry he's partial to. He chuckles. "I know! Are you familiar with haikus?" You agree to write him a ?haiku. @@.tutorial;A ?haiku is a short, one-stanza, three-line poem. Haikus don't usually rhyme, but certainly can. Each line in a haiku has a certain number of syllables. The first and last line each have five syllables, while the middle line has seven.@@ <<include "intro-read-3">>

You're about to read the poem to the well-dressed man, when you realize that it isn't a ?haiku. You decide to work on your poem a little more. @@.tutorial;A ?haiku is a short, one-stanza, three-line poem. Haikus don't usually rhyme, but certainly can. Each line in a haiku has a certain number of syllables. The first and last line each have five syllables, while the middle line has seven.@@ <<include "intro-read-3">>

<<gold 20>>\ "Well, well," the well-dressed man says. "Excellent work. You came up with that just now?" He claps. "Bravo!" You thank him. "My name is Lord Alaric," he says, offering you his hand. You shake it. "You know, you must be new in town. Someone of your skill would never escape my notice. I've heard that bards don't usually work for free." He reaches into the folds of his coat and hands you a small sack of gold. You thank him again. "Say, you know something? It's my anniversary tomorrow. Would you be willing to pen something for my lovely wife? I'm sure she'd love it." You look over at Marco's bloody, dismembered remains, then agree, trying your best to smile at Alaric. "Wonderful!" Lord Alaric says. "Ah, but you'll need to meet her in order to sing her praises. Maybe get to know her a bit. I'll give you directions to my home in the noble district. You'll do this for me, won't you?" You nod. Lord Alaric gives you the directions. "Now then," he says, his voice cracking a bit. "We'd best clean up here. You can go see my wife whenever you're ready." <<act "Take your leave.">><<audio ':playing' stop>><<audio "2" play loop volume 1>><<set $song to "2">><<goto "market-district-fr-1">><</act>>